Abnormal uterine bleeding can be caused by a number of different issues, from hormonal imbalances to fibroids to cancer. Having your abnormal bleeding checked out by an experienced Downers Grove gynecologist like Dr. Wolowick and Dr. Mitchell can ensure you know the cause of the bleeding and can take the next steps toward treatment.
What is Abnormal Uterine Bleeding?
Abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB), also known as menometrorrhagia, is bleeding from the uterus that lasts longer than your usual period. It’s also unrelated to your menstruation. Bleeding may also be heavier or lighter than usual and typically occurs before or after your normal period, after menopause, or after sex.
What Causes Abnormal Uterine Bleeding?
There are a wide variety of causes of AUB. Most commonly, it’s caused by a hormonal imbalance, but it can also be due to:
- Thickening of the uterine wall
- Uterine fibroids
- Uterine polyps
- Anovulation (when the ovaries do not release an egg during menstruation)
- Cancer of the vagina, uterus, cervix, or ovaries
- Bleeding disorders
- Polycystic ovary syndrome
- Severe weight loss
- Excessive weight gain
- Hormonal birth control like birth control pills or an IUD
- Infection of the uterus or cervix
- Adenomyosis
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
- Blood thinners
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Symptoms of Abnormal Uterine Bleeding
The most obvious symptom of AUB is bleeding outside of our normal period, but how much bleeding occurs can differ greatly from person to person. It can be heavy or light or occur regularly or at random.
Some symptoms that we look for when determining if a patient has AUB or not include:
- Bleeding or spotting from the vagina between periods
- Periods that occur less than 28 days apart or more than 35 days apart
- The time between periods changes each month
- Heavy bleeding with large blood clots or bleeding that causes you to change your pad or tampon during the night or every 2-3 hours
- Bleeding that lasts for more than seven days
- Fatigue (due to blood loss)
Abnormal Uterine Bleeding Treatment Options
The type of treatment Dr. Wolowick or Dr. Mitchell recommends will depend on the cause of the AUB. Based on your symptoms, we’ll test your hormone levels, thyroid, and blood count before making a diagnosis.
Hormones
If a hormonal imbalance is causing the AUB, there are several treatment options, including birth control pills, an IUD that releases hormones, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists, or hormonal therapy.
NSAIDs
NSAIDs can help control blood flow and limit how much you’re bleeding. It also controls your prostaglandin levels, which are often elevated in those with heavy menstrual bleeding.
Tranexamic Acid
This prescription medication is a tablet that is taken each month at the start of your period. It is meant to treat heavy menstrual bleeding, but it can also be effective with AUB.
Surgery
If the cause of bleeding is a polyp or fibroid, surgery may be needed to remove the affected area. Surgery can also be done to remove or destroy the lining of the uterus, stop blood flow to fibroids, or remove the uterus and ovaries entirely (hysterectomy).
If cancer is determined to be the cause of AUD, surgery can be done to remove the cancerous tissues.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is abnormal uterine bleeding?
How can I tell if my bleeding is outside of what’s considered normal?
When should unexpected or heavy bleeding be evaluated by a gynecologist?
What conditions can cause changes in menstrual bleeding?
Can bleeding between periods be a sign of a hormonal issue?
Is irregular bleeding common during perimenopause or after menopause?
Could birth control or an IUD be causing changes in my cycle?
How do providers determine the cause of irregular or heavy bleeding?
What treatment options are available if bleeding becomes disruptive?
Can changes in menstrual bleeding affect overall health or fertility?
Schedule A Consultation
Any type of abnormal bleeding from the vagina is something you want to have checked out. It may be abnormal uterine bleeding, and if so, we can find the cause and treat it appropriately so you can get back to living your normal life. Take the first step and schedule a consultation today! At MAIA, we happily serve the Chicago, Aurora, Downers Grove, and Naperville, IL areas. Call our office at 630-320-6703 or fill out our online contact form.
